Bill > LD853

This bill introduces a new regional living wage system for Maine, replacing the current statewide minimum wage. The bill divides the state into three distinct regions: the Coastal Region (including Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, and Oxford counties), the Northern Region (including Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, Franklin, Washington, and Androscoggin counties), and the Portland Metropolitan Region (including York and Cumberland counties). Until December 31, 2025, the minimum hourly wage will remain at $14.65 across all regions. Beginning January 1, 2026, each region will have a living wage based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Living Wage Calculator, specifically using the living wage for one adult with no children in their respective metropolitan areas as of January 1, 2025. The bill also maintains an annual cost-of-living adjustment mechanism, where the minimum wage will be increased each January 1st based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region, with increases rounded to the nearest 5 cents. If the federal minimum wage exceeds the state's minimum wage, the state wage will automatically adjust to match the federal rate.

Labor and Employment

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=853&snum=132